South Point woman sentenced in heroin case

HUNTINGTON -- A South Point, Ohio, woman will spend up to an additional two years behind bars because of a heroin case in Huntington.

Christina Nease, 33, received her 2-year federal prison sentence Monday from U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers. He ordered it be served in addition to a state-level drug sentence in Ohio.

Nease's defense asked for the two punishments to be served concurrently, but Chambers denied that request.

The federal sentence relates to a July drug conviction in which Nease pleaded guilty to having conspired with others to distribute heroin.

Nease signed an agreement with prosecutors stating she had conspired with others from February 2011 to March 7, 2011.

That time period included a roadside drug seizure in Portsmouth, Ohio, and three undercover transactions in Kenova and Huntington. Together, the incidents involved nearly 35 grams of heroin and 2.1 grams of crack cocaine, according to Nease's signed agreement.

A sentencing memorandum, filed by the defense, described Nease as a addict who compounded her problems by deciding to assist in drug distribution. It also states she was the product of an abusive home, where both parents were addicted to drugs and alcohol.

In exchange for Nease's guilty plea, federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss two counts of aiding and abetting the distribution of heroin and one count of distributing cocaine.

The Huntington Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration participated in the investigation.